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Born to Be Wild

Born to Be Wild

Born to be loved. Born to be free.

Short201140 minGMidcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Director
David Lickley
Starring
Morgan Freeman, Birute Galdikas, Daphne Sheldrick

Born to Be Wild observes various orphaned jungle animals and their day-to-day behavioural interactions with the individuals who rescue them and raise them to adulthood. The film unfurls in two separate geographic spheres. Half of it takes place in the rain forests of Borneo, where celebrated primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas assists baby orangutans; the other half takes place on the arid savannahs of Kenya, where zoologist Dame Daphne Sheldrick works with baby elephant calves.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Born to Be Wild?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Born to Be Wild to rent or buy on Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Born to Be Wild?

Born to Be Wild earns 5 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% of films.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Born to Be Wild worth watching?

Born to Be Wild's Midcredits score is the 90th percentile of all films, from 4.4K ratings across 6 sources. 81% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

90th percentile

Better received than 90% of films

77th percentile among Documentary91st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)86th
Approval (how many liked it)91st

72 /100

86th percentile of all films

62nd percentile among Documentary85th percentile among 2010s

Critics 66 · Audience 73

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

81% liked it

91st percentile of all films

83rd percentile among Documentary92nd percentile among 2010s
81% rated it 7–1019% rated it 1–6

Critics 98% · Audience 84%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 0 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

78th percentile

4.3K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Documentary80th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 41% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$871K
Domestic gross$26M
Worldwide gross$43M

99th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A short, visually pleasant IMAX doc about rescuing orphaned elephants and orangutans that is sweet but light on depth.

Fans praised

  • heartwarming rescue stories with adorable baby animals
  • inspiring human-animal bond and conservation message
  • Morgan Freeman's soothing narration

Detractors panned

  • shallow storytelling with flat narrative and no conflict
  • feels like an extended TV nature episode, not cinematic

What stands out

Cinematography70

lovely aerial views and close-ups, IMAX presentation praised

Emotional impactDivisive65

heartwarming and tear-jerking for fans; flat for others

Atmosphere65

immersion in jungle and savanna, touching tone

Effects and spectacle55

IMAX 3D enhances vistas and animal close-ups

PacingDivisive50

40-minute runtime felt short to fans, flat to detractors

CharactersDivisive45

two human heroines inspiring but presented shallowly

Plot and storyDivisive35

thin, episodic structure with little conflict or stakes

Originality30

familiar animal rescue formula; like a TV nature episode

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Born to Be Wild like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulWarmHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Multiple perspectives · 2% of films: The same events retold from different characters' points of view.
ToneThe film treats its material with sincere warmth and gentle humour, celebrating the dedication of the rescuers and the charm of the animals.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently gentle, uplifting mood without dramatic shifts.
StructureThe film intercuts between two separate rescue operations in Borneo and Kenya, presenting them as parallel stories.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the viewer feeling uplifted and inspired by the dedication of the rescuers and the cuteness of the animals.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeNon-narrative documentary format — no plot archetype applies.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% (this title) · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsCommunity · 14% of films: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Hope · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on the caretaking relationships between humans and orphaned animals, emphasizing surrogate family bonds and collective conservation effort.
StanceThe documentary celebrates the bond between humans and animals and the dedication of conservationists, presenting the rescue work as admirable and hopeful.

The world

ContemporaryWildernessInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalFolkSupportive music · original score · Mark Mothersbaugh
Settingorangutan and elephant rescue centers in Borneo and Kenya
MusicMark Mothersbaugh's score is upbeat and playful, complementing the animals' antics.

Content guide

Is Born to Be Wild okay for kids?

G

Born to Be Wild is rated G. As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its language at minimal (0/100). It has too few votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • BrazilL
  • HungaryKN
Overall
needs 3 or more scored categories
not ranked
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Overall standing needs at least three scored categories; this title has 1.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Born to Be Wild have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Born to Be Wild?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Morgan Freeman
as Narrator
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Birute Galdikas
as Self
Daphne Sheldrick
as Self

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Born to Be Wild?

Movies like Born to Be Wild include African Cats (2010), Chimpanzee (2011) and The Elephant Whisperers (2022). All three are nature documentaries and films about family bonds.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Born to Be Wild?

1.1K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: nature documentary. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.